Google is pushing ahead with making its data centers more efficient and less reliant on external sources such as power from the grid. As well as researching and funding the development of renewable energy sources, Google is now starting to push for 100% recycled water at its data centers.

Data center cooling systems can require a lot of water, which can in turn put pressure on the local supply depending on where a data center is located. Rather than having to deal with a lack of water, or complaints about how much is being used, Google has installed treatment plants at two locations as an experiment to start recycling its own water. They have now been ramped up to 100% water recycling.

In practice this should mean these data centers require much less water after they have taken enough to operate their cooling systems. That then lowers Google’s risk if water is in short supply, and allows those who operate the local water supply to rest assured Google isn’t going to take a big chunk of water out of the system regularly.

The video below explains how Google uses water in its data centers for cooling:

The search giant hopes that by the end of 2010 it can achieve 80% recycled water consumption across all data centers. 100% is achievable though, as already demonstrated at two data centers. As cooling water does not need to be treated to the same extent as drinking water Google is also looking to alternate sources rather than pulling in water from the main supply. These include industrial canals, rain water, and city waste water.

It’s surprising that data centers do not already use water recycling as a way of lowering their environmental impact and saving money. But as Google is now focusing on this other data center operators will follow, and water recycling will become a common addition to existing centers, as well as a prerequisite for new builds.

As well as lowering cost water recycling will also reduce risk. If you have all the water you need on-site, and the ability to recycle it, then you no longer rely on an outside source unless there is an emergency. The initial intake of water to fill the system will be huge, but then data centers are already taking that water.

For Google to be implementing such systems means it must also be cost effective to do so. The technology and kit required for water processing to occur is going to cost a significant amount on installation, but will pay for itself eventually depending on maintenance costs.